However, the effort, led by former first lady Betty Babcock, has brought in slightly less than $100,000.
The Nov. 15 deadline to raise the money has been extended to Jan. 15.
A state architect recommended building a new building across from the current Montana Historical Society museum and the Historical Society board backed that location. The Capitol Complex Advisory Council supported the mall site.
"I think the Montana Historical Society is one of the greatest treasures of the Treasure State," Babcock said. "We need all that in a bigger facility."
In May, Gov. Brian Schweitzer said he had negotiated for the state to pay $6.5 million for the 13.5 acres on which the mall sits if backers raised $13 million by Nov. 15.
Backers fell well short, but Schweitzer and Westfield Properties, which owns the mall, agreed to extend the deadline by two months, said Sarah Elliott, Schweitzer's spokeswoman.
Babcock has appeared in television and radio ads with first lady Nancy Schweitzer urging people to donate.
"I'm raising thousands," Babcock said. "I'm not raising millions.
"Regardless of whether we raise the $13 million or not, we need to take action now," Babcock said. She urged Montanans to call or e-mail Schweitzer or write letters to the editors of newspapers by Dec. 31 to urge Schweitzer to buy the mall property.
"The governor's position has been fairly clear," Elliott said. "We think it's fair to ask that some of this money be raised privately, and the deadline has been extended to Jan. 15."
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